NEW YACHTS - Hanse 495 world launch in January

Hanse’s latest interpretation of a fast and elegant family cruiser is the Hanse 495, which local dealer Windcraft will premiere at next year’s Sydney International Boat Show.

Designed by Judel/Vrolijk & Co, with an interior by internationally acclaimed Birgit Schnaase Interior Design SID, the new Hanse makes its world debut at Germany’s boot Dusseldorf boat show in January.

Hanse said the design collaboration has resulted in "a strikingly elegant yacht with harmonic deck-hull-rig proportions and innovative technical solutions for sailing and living aboard".

As the yachtbuilder points the 495 has a clear foredeck, an open and easily accessible coach roof, and an extensive cockpit area with integrated table all combining to make sailing safe and easy for the crew. Hanse adds that extensive storage exists in the foredeck and cockpit lockers, the latter including a dedicated liferaft position.

The helmsman is assisted by electrical winches, the Hanse trademark and standard self-tacking jib, plus company’s version of joystick docking. That last item is the optional Smart Mooring System, the result of extensive studies. It moves the yacht in every direction via a bow and stern thruster system from MaxPower with a single joystick.

Hanse’s design brief stated that the 495 must not have too voluminous a hull but must suit a flexible interior concept allowing owners cabins with en suites in the bow as well as in aft section and the saloon and galley needed to be as generous as possible for a 49-footer. These guidelines, it said, have been achieved with a careful combination of hull and superstructure geometry, "using a moderately formed U section to the hull structure and a striking coach roof eyebrow design".

The Hanse 495 interior is new interpretation of the loft-style concept that Hanse says it introduced for series production sailing yachts. There’s minimum headroom of 2m and a new indirect illumination concept.

Windcraft Australia has a standard boat price of $489,000 for the Hanse 495 that includes a full cruise pack, navigation pack and comfort pack.

* Superb sailing abilities with a well proportioned sail area* A spacious, crew-friendly cockpit and a safe, accessibledeck* Large and easy to operate transom door, making an ideal gangway/bathing platform* Stress free and safe joystick Smart Mooring System with bow and stern thrusters* Variable interior layout, spacious owner’s cabin either forward or aft